Universal support for article holders



July 6, 1948. E. M. s'rRlcKLAND UNIVRSAL SUPPORT FOR ARTICLE HOLDERS 2 sheets-sheet' 1 Filed June 20, 1945 .uy 6, w48. E. M. STRICKLAND UNIVERSAL SUPPORT FOR ARTICLE HOLDERS Filed June 20, 1945 v2 Sheets-Sheet 2 atented July 6, 1948 UNITED 'UNIVERSI istirronr ron ARTICLE HOLDERS* Thepres'ent inventi'on'relateslto'new and useful improvements" iri-v'isesfandfha's for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device fof this character which is adapted to be ekpeditiously an'd'accurately adjusted to any desired position.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a universally adjustable vise of the aforementioned character which comprises novel means for firmly securing the device in adjusted position.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a vise of the character described which will be comparatively sim-ple in construction, strong, durable, highly efcient and reliable in use, compact, and which may 'be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure l is a top plan View of a vise constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 3--3 of Figure 4.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through the vise with the upper portion broken away, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an elevational View of the upper portion of the vise.

Referring now to the drawing in detail; it will be seen that the embodiment, of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a metallic base I of any desired dimensions, which base is to be mounted and secured on a table or other suitable support. The base I, which is substantially square in plan, has formed diagonally therein a channel 2, the bottom of which includes raised end portion 3 (Figs. 3 and 4).

Removably secured by screws Il on the base I is a socket member 5 in the form of a ring comprising, on its periphery, a substantially tri.- angular. integral ear 5. A ball segment I is mounted for rotary and rocking adjustment in any direction in the socket 5. As best seen in Figure 2 of the drawing, the securing screws 4 are countersunk in the base I.

. The channel 2 accommodates 'a lever 8, one end portion of which rests on the raised surface 3. The other end portion of the lever 8 has threadedv thereintol a locking' screw' Iiwhich` is" journaledin the ear 6*, said ear being'a'pertured to accommodate said screw.I The'bott'om of' the hall segment 'i is substantially conical and has formed'therein a socket Ill-which accommodates thc-upper portion of a ball bearing II. The-'ball bearing il rests in a socket I2 which is provided therefor in the end portion of the lever 8 which is remote from the locking screw 9. A coil spring i3 in the channel 2 yieldingly urges the lever 8 and the bearing ball I I upwardly at all times.

Recessed in the socket 5 vis a rotatably adjusted graduated ring lll. A suitable clamp I5 (see Figure l) on the socket 5 releasably secures the graduated ring Ill in adjusted position. An adjusting handle I6 is provided on the ring I4. The graduations on the ring I4 are for coaction with center marks I'l on the ball segment 1.

Rigidly secured by screws I8 on the ball segment TI is a disk I9, the periphery of which is graduated. Swivelled for rotary adjustment on the disk IS is a substantially channel-shaped holder Ztl for tools and other articles or objects. The disk I9 is provided iwith a centrally located opening which accommodates a screw ZI which secures the holder 2i) in adjusted position. The screw 2|, which is countersunk in the holder 20, passes through the disk it! and is threaded into the ball segment l. Set screws 22 are provided for securing the tool in the holder 20. The holder 25 is provided on either or both ends with a center mark 23 (Fig. 5) for coaction with the graduaticns 25 on the periphery of the disk I9.

it is thought that the operation of the device wlil be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, to rotatably or rockably adjust the ball segment 1, the screw 9 is turned in a direction to thread the lever 8 downwardly or away from said ball segment. The ball segment "i may then be readily rotated or rocked to any desired position in the socket 5. Rockingadjustment of the ball segment 'I is facilitated by the provision thereon of graduations 25 which ccact with center marks 2B on the adjustable ring Ill. After the desired adjustment has been made, the screw 9 is turned in the opposite direction for raising the lever 8, thereby forcing the ball segment l upwardly in the socket member 5 for frictionally securing said ball segment. By loosening the screw 2|, the holder 20 may be rotatably adjusted on the disk I9. The construction and arrangement, it will be observed, is such as to permit the tool, as at 21, mounted in the holder 2l) to be readily adjusted to any desired position. A center mark 21 on the rotatably adjustable ring l 4 coacts with graduations 28 on the socket member 5.

It is believed that the many advantages of a universally adjustable ball joint vise constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and` although a preferred emodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction` and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall Within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

A universal support comprising a substantially ii'at base having a channel in its upper face, the bottom of said channel including a raised end portion forming a fulcrum, a lever operable in the channel and having one end resting on the fulcruni, a socket in the lever adjacent the fulcrum, a bearing ball mounted in the socket, a Aball segment rotatably and rockably adjustable on the bearing ball, a socket on the base partially enclosing said lball segment, a coil spring beneath the lever for yieldingly urging the ball segment into frictional engagement with the socket, a screw rotatably mounted in the socket and threadin the socket, and

said ball segment being 5 adapted to support an article holder.

ELWIN M. STRICKLAND.

REFERENCES CITED The'following referencesare lof record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number 206,781

Name Date Allen Apr. 28, 1863 Maynard Jan, 26, 1869 Dickson Apr. 20, 1886 Gairing July 24, 1928 Schulz Nov. 20, 1934 Giern et al. Feb. 2, 1943 Gorton Feb. 22, 1944 Galorneau Mar. 13, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Switzerland Deo. 1, 1939 

